Country Report

Country reports are short essays that describe and analyze data for each country. Authors follow a similar format interpreted as appropriate for their country. The reports contain basic methodological information about the survey, most importantly the sampling procedure, as well as a description of important domestic or international conditions affecting attitudes during the period covered. They provide a summary of the most important findings. The new findings are normally compared to previous findings, when available. An appendix with tables presenting the detailed findings covered in the analysis is attached to each report. Country reports cover the main themes of the surveys: understanding the meaning of democracy, perception of economic issues, citizenship and rights, the role of religion and social values, public institutions and trust in their effectiveness, and Arab and international issues.

Algerians differed greatly in their views of the most basic characteristic of “democracy”.
Approximately half of the respondents stated that the most important characteristic was economic in
nature. Overall, the plurality (29.8%) of respondents stated that the most important characteristic is a
small income gap between rich and poor while 20.9% of respondents said it was the provision of basic
necessities including food and shelter for all citizens. The other half of respondents stated that the most
important characteristic was political, with 27.6% of respondents stating it is the opportunity to change
government through elections and 21.6% of respondents stating it is the ability to criticize the
government or the right to free speech. Less than 1% of respondents provided a different answer for
the most important characteristic of democracy.

The second wave of the Arab Barometer survey was conducted in Iraq between February
20th and March 12th of 2012. As Iraq was not included in the first wave of the Arab Barometer,
this survey was the first of its kind in the country. This report outlines the views of Iraqi citizens
on issues of religion, economic and political outlooks, satisfaction with the government and other
institutions, trust, attitudes towards women, and views of the United States. It also examines
differences (where applicable) between Sunni’s and Shi’ites as well as between Arabs and
Kurds.

The Center for Strategic Studies at the University of Jordan undertook a survey of
public opinion in Jordan which was also implemented in Morocco, Algeria, Lebanon,
Palestine, Yemen, and Kuwait in cooperation with the University of Michigan – Ann
Arbor and Princeton University along with research centers and societies in each
country. The poll was completed between 8 – 16 June, 2006 and included a sample of
1200 residences. The response rate was 95.4%, as 55 households refused to take part.
Thus, 1145 completed forms were distributed throughout the governorates of Jordan
in the proportions shown in chart 1.

The Center for Strategic Studies at the University of Jordan supervised a project to
measure Arab public opinion in the Republic of Lebanonin cooperation with the
Statistics Lebanon Establishment. In addition to Lebanon, this poll was carried out
in Morocco, Algeria, Jordan, Yemen, Palestine, and Kuwait with cooperation of the
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and Princeton University. Additionally, the
project was completed in partnership with organizations and research centers in
each of the aforementioned countries. The poll was carried out in the month of
November in 2007 and surveyed 1,200 residences, as is shown in table 1.

In May 2006, the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research undertook a public
opinion poll to measure the stances and beliefs of the Palestinian public about democracy.
This poll was carried out with the cooperation of other Arab research centers and
academic institutions aiming to measure the views of the Arab street on questions
revolving around democracy. The poll was completed with the cooperation of Dr. Mark
Tessler at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and Dr. Amaney Jamal at Princeton
University and supervised by Khalil Shikaki at the Palestinian Center for Policy and
Survey Research.

Based on the second wave of the Arab Barometer survey, this report presents the
opinions of Sudanese citizens on social, economic and political issues. Specifically, the report
focuses on the following themes: (1) the economic situation of the country, (2) religious
practices and the role of religion in society and politics, (3) political systems, democracy, the
assessment of the government and public institutions in terms of efficiency, corruption and
transparency, (4) the role of women in society, and (5) international relations and the United
States. Sudan Polling and Statistics Center (SPSC) conducted the survey between 10/12/2010
and 30/12/2010.

The Center for Strategic Studies at the University of Jordan supervised a project to
measure Arab public opinion in the Republic of Yemen in cooperation with Interaction in
Development. In addition to Yemen, this poll was carried out in Morocco, Algeria,
Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Kuwait with cooperation of the University of Michigan –
Ann Arbor and Princeton University. Additionally, the project was completed in
partnership with organizations and research centers in each of the aforementioned
countries. The poll was carried out in the months of November-December in 2007 and
surveyed 1,200 residences.